"Mr Cipriani maintains his innocence and has always disputed being the cause of an accident which led to proceedings against him, as well as the allegation that he was over the legal drink-drive limit - either at the time of alleged driving, or on his arrival at the station, or at the time of the breath test - an assertion supported by the evidence of three forensic experts.

"The case has been riddled with inconsistencies, failings to disclose evidence and decisions made on evidence that, in our view, were insufficient to secure a conviction.

"We will now seek an urgent appeal and are confident that justice will be done."

Mr Riddle said: "There is ample evidence from independent witnesses that Mr Cipriani showed signs of being affected by alcohol.

"We have the account from the other driver... there is the evidence of the police officers.

"There is no reason to believe they had anything against Mr Cipriani."

He added that the "position is simple" and the reading was given "following correct procedure on an approved machine at a police station".

"I am sure the machine was operating reliably, and I am sure that the lower reading in breath was 67," he continued.

Cipriani had been out drinking and eating sushi with other players at Eight Over Eight in Chelsea after England's thrashing of the Barbarians on May 31 last year.

He had two espresso martinis and a vodka cranberry at dinner, between 8.30pm and midnight.

Cipriani then went to a club for around half an hour, before going to a friend's house. He left at 4am to have breakfast.

The rugby player said he had a fry-up, as well as a "small champagne flute" and two more espresso martinis, within 45 minutes, before getting a cab to his car.

Cipriani said: "I was not drunk, I felt fine." He also denied speeding.

He appeared in court wearing a blue suit, shirt and tie and did not react as the verdict or sentence was announced.